Quick-turning vehicle-gear.



(No Model.)

' A Patented Aug. 27, IQDI;

B. MASON. I1U|6K TURNING VEHICLE GEAR.

(Application filed May 10, 1900.)

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. N B. MASON.

QUICK TURNING VEHICLE GEAR.

(Application filed May 10, 1:500. {No ModeL) 2 Sheets-Sfieat 2.

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. 3 in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the UNITED STATES PATENTFFlCE.

BUCK MASON, OF TRENTON, MISSOURI.

QUICK-TURNING VEHICLE-GEAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 681,237, dated August2'7, 190i.

' Application filed May 10, 1900. Serial No.16j208. (N model.)

T0 at whom, it may concern.

Be it known that I, BUCK MASON, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of Trenton, in the county of Grundy and State of Mis clecompletely in quite a small circle or are of the same; and it consistsin the construc tion and combination of parts, as is hereinafterdescribed, and defined in the appended claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a partofthis specification,

ning-gear, showing the relative position of i parts thereof during aturning movement in direction of the arrow at in said figure. Fig. 2 isa plan view of the samewith details adj usted for a straight-forwardmovement of the vehicle. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the gear, showing amodified form and arrangement of parts that are the equivalents of thoseshown gear shown in Fig. 3, showing the position of detailsduring theturning movement in di,

. rection of the arrowaa in said figure. Fig. 5 i is an enlarged sideview. of an end portion of a front axle seen in direction of the arrow 1in Fig. 3, showing features of improvement. Fig. 6 is atransverse'sectional view substantially on the line 6 6. in Fig. 5. Fig.7 is a plan View of the improvement adapted for use on heavy wagons, theparts being adjusted fora direct forward progressive movement.

Fig. 8 isa plan view of the modified form of y the improvement shown inFig. '7 with parts in position assumed during the turning mover'nent ofthe gear toward the left hand. Fig.

9 is a plan view of the front axle for a heavy wagon having the turningmechanism constructed and arranged nearly similar to that shown in Fig.2. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the gear shown in Fig. 9, representing itturned to the left hand; Fig. 11 is an enlarged larged longitudinalsectional view of the rear.

axle of the running-gear shown in Fig. 7 sub= stantially on the line 1212 in Fig. 7; and Fig. 13 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view ofthe forward axle, taken substantially on the line 13 13 in Fig. 7.

In the drawings that indicate the construetion and operation of theimprovements as exemplitied in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, A indicates thefront axle of the running-gear, and B the rear axle thereof. The frontand rearaxles are spaced apart a proper distance in. parallel planesbythe reach-bar O and four braces D D D D ,which are clipped by their endsupon the axles, as shown, said braces extending diagonally outward froma point near the center of the reach bar to the forward and rear axles,and stops E E in clamp form are placed on the forward axle A, so astobear against the inner sides of the clips on the ends of the braces,whereby the latter are held outwardly strained to render the connectionstaut, as in this construction the entire gear is as light as isconsistent with necessary strength.

In Figs. 1 and 2, F represents a flatlever having a laterally-extendingarm or limb F formed thereon and an arm F extended diof the axle A astub-spindle Gis pivoted, so as to be adapted to swing toward the frontand rear sides of the same, and, as shown clearly in Figs. 5 and 6, thehead-block on adjusted as shown in Fig. 2. Oneach end each spindle isfurnished with two paralleL.

spaced flanges a, that embrace the end portion ofthe axle upon which thespindle is to be mounted. An arm H is provided. for each right-handstub-spindle G, and these arms are respectively connected with anappropriate stub-spindle by a bolt b. As shown, the bolt 1) for eachstub-spindle has an angular formation b, extended from the head of thebolt, of suflicient length to pass through a mating perforation in thearm H near one end and also through the top flange (1 of the head-blockforming the inner end of the stubspindle. The body of the bolt 12 belowthe angular formation b is truly cylindrical and loosely fits in'aperforation extending through the end of the axle embraced by theparallel flanges a and through an opposite perforation in the lowerflange a and extending below the same sufficiently to receive a nut bthat screws upon a thread on said projecting end. It will be seen thatthe arm H on the right-hand stub-spindle (shown in Figs. 1 and 2)extends forwardly of the axle A and is firmly secured by the angularformation 1) on the bolt-body b upon the top flange a of thestub-spindle and projects therefrom approximately at a right angle. In alike manner the stub-spindle on the left-hand end of the forward axle Ais secured by a bolt 1) upon the arm H,t hat is complementary to saidstubspindle, the arm projecting rearwardly from the stub-spindle at aright angle. A connect-v ing-rod I is pivoted by its ends, respectively,upon the outer end of the arm orlimb F and arm H, said rod passing belowthe lever F, whereon the rear end of a draft-pole may be secured inanysuitable manner. The arm H is loosely connected to the arm F on thelever F by a rod 1, pivoted by its ends thereto and passing above thereach-bar O and brace D. The rear axle B in this gear is provided withthe usual spindles B, that are rigid projections from the ends thereof.It will be seen that the rocking movement of the lever F toward theright or left hand side of the vehicle will actuate the stub-spindles G,so as to dispose them at an angle to the body of the axle A. Asindicated in Fig. 1, the rocking movement of the arm or limb F towardthe left side of the vehicle-gear, as indicated by the arrow ac, movesthe stub-spindle G at said side so as to incline it rearward, andsimultaneously the stub-spindle at the righthand side of therunning-gear is rocked forwardly. It will be seen that the constructionof the lever F, having its arm or limb F and arm F extending at the sameside of the body of the lever, and the relative position of thepivot-bolt 0 causes the arm F to give a greater rocking movement to theleft-hand stubspindle than the right-hand stub-spindle receives. To morespecifically describe the relative movements of the right and left handstub-spindles G, as represented in Fig. 1, it will be observed that asthe arm or limb F is rocked it approaches the axle A and pulls nearly inthe same line with the connectingrod 1, which will tend to reduce thelongitudinal movement of said rod somewhat as compared with the degreeof endwise movement had by'the rod 1. Although this difference ofmovement is not great, yet it is sufficient to properly dispose thespindle toward which the vehicle-gear is turningy'and thus compensatefor the difference in travel of the as es? outer wheel and inner wheelof the vehicle during a turning movement, which is a feature of greatadvantage, as it permits a very quick turning of the gear withoutrequiring the outer wheel to slide on the ground, and this constitutes aleading feature of my invention.

In Figs. 3 and 4 is shown adevice substantially similar to thatrepresented in Figs. 1 and 2, and, as shown, comprises the sameconstruction with regard to the axles A B, reach-bar C, braces D, andstub-spindles G. In this case, however, the lever L, that serves thesame purpose as the lever F, is furcated, and the two equal arms orlimbs L thereon project forwardly of the axle A. The rockarms H H areboth secured to project forwardly of the axle A in this construction,and at their outer ends one end of a respective connecting-rod M ispivoted, opposite ends of said rods being pivoted upon the arms or limbsof the lever L, one rod connecting with the arm or limb of the levernearest the arm H'and the other rod connecting with the arm or limb ofthe lever nearest the arm H. A draftpole N (shown by dot-ted lines inFigs. 3 and 4) may be held at its rear end on the top of the lever L, sothat it may vibrate from a horizontal plane, and it will be seen that ifsuch pole is provided for the running-gear the lateral movement-say inthe direction of the arrow at in Fig. 4-=will adjust the stubspindlesGin said figure similar to the adjustment of the stub-spindles shown inFig.

1, and the advantage secured of a quick-turning easy movement for thevehicle-gear is the same.

In Figs. 7 and 8 is shown another modification of the quick-turning gearwherein the device is constructed to rock stub-spindles on the rear axlein unison with those on the front axle and comprises the followingdetails and combinations of the same: 8 designates the front axle of avehicle having some of the improved features of construction, and 9 isthe rear axle thereof, essentially similar to the front axle, theseparts of the runninggear, specially adapted for use on a heavydraft-wagon, being rigidly connected together and suitably spaced apartby the reach-bar 10.

A fiat rocking lever 11 is pivoted upon the upper face of the reach-bar10, and, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, it will be seen that said lever isprovided with an arm 11 at the forward end, which projects from thestraight body of the lever laterally and forwardly. The pivotbolt 0.which loosely connects the lever 11 with the reach-bar 10, is positionednear the rear side of the front axle 8*, and at a suitable distancerearward therefrom two angularly-divergent arms or limbs 11 areintogrally extended laterally and rearwardly from the straight body ofsaid lever. The construction of the axles 8 and 9*(shown in Figs. 12 and13) each comprises the following details: The body or main portion of,say, the axle 8 is preferably formed of hard tough 1m x i with eachother.

as. tivelyaffixed in the ends of rock-arms 13,

i was? wood, such as ash or hickory, and may be rendered somewhatconcave on the lower side, as shown. Two reinforce-plates 8 of iron orother suitable metal, are provided for the axle-body 8*, said platesbeing respectively fitted upon the upper and lower sides at each end ofthe Wooden axle-body 8, and these projections at each end are parallelTwo similar stub-spindles are provided for the axle 8 and eachstubspindle consists of a tapered portion 12,which is formed integralwith and is projected from the rectangular body 12 of the spindle. The

'stub-spindle bodies 12 have such proportionate length and thickness aswill adapt them to respectively occupy the space provided between theparallel projecting portions of the reinforce-plates 8 ateach end of theaxle-body 8. As clearly shown in Fig.

13, a pivot-bolt b is inserted in vertically:

lever 11.

rock-arm 13 adapt said parts to be disposed 1 alined perforations formedin the reinforceplates 8 and through each end portion 12" of thestub-spindles, said bolts being respecloosely seated upon the topreinforce-plate 8* of the axle 8*, said pivot-bolts being secured fromdisplacement by nuts I). One rock-arm 13, preferably that at theright-hand side of the running-gear viewed from the rear, is projectedforwardly of the front axle and is f pivoted atits front end upon oneend of a link-bar 14, which at its opposite end is pivoted upon the freeend of the arm 11 on the The lengths of the link-bar 14 and at a rightangle where pivoted together when 1 f f the spindles 12 and axle-body 8are in 1ongitudinal alinement, as shown in Fig. 7. The

other rock-arm 13, which is positioned near 1 the right-hand end of thefront axle 8, as

l seen from the rear end of tho running-gear, projects rearward fromsaid axle and at its 1 I 45 rear end is pivoted upon the outer end of alink-bar 14, which has its opposite end pivoted upon one arm or limb 11of the lever 11,

1 r 16 and 17, and, as shown best in Fig. 12, a rock-arm 18 is rigidlyaffixed by one end upon and preferably said link and rock-arm are 1 rdisposed at a right angle to each other when l it the front-axlespindles are axially alined. The rear axle 9' has a preferably woodenbody 15, that may have its lower side ren- 3 dered concave, as shown inFig. 12, and upon H 1 i I the flat upperside and concave lower side of ireinforce plates 16 17 are respectively secured by bolts or other means.

said wooden axle-body iron or other metallic The ends of thereinforce-platesld 17 extend beyond the ends 1 I f of the axle-body 15an equal degree, and said i 1 e loose reception of the inner ends of thestub- X axles 17, Whereon the spindles 17 are formed ends are renderedparallel in pairsfor the and project from their outer ends. A pivotbolt0 occupies a vertical perforation formed in each stub-axle l7 and thereinforce-plates 'lar connecting-rods 19 are provided, having theirforward ends pivotally secured upon the outer ends of the arms or limbs11 of the lever 11, the rear ends of said connecting-rods having pivotedconnection with the free inner ends of the rock-arms 18, and it will beseen in Fig. 7 that from the alined disposal of the rock-arms 18relative to the spindles 17 the forward spindles 12 and rear spindles 17will be held parallel with each other in pairs when the lever 11 isalined with the reach-bar 10, as shown in Fig. 7. A draftpole 20 isfurnished to control the progressive movement of the running-gear and,as shown best in Fig. 11, consists of the usual elongated bar, having adoubletree 21 pivoted thereon near its rear end for a harnessedconnection of a pair of draft-animals to the draft-pole. Twoconnecting-plates 22 of like form are secured oppositely upon the sidesof the pole 20 near its rear end, and these plates are curved downwardlyedgewise, so as to dispose their lower ends a suitable distance belowthe body of the pole. The lower ends of the connecting-plates 22 embracethe sides of a boss (1 that is formed upon the lower side of the lever11, near the front face of the axle 8, and the plates and boss arepivotally connected by the pivot-bolt c. It will be seen that by thedescribed construction and arrangement of parts the body of the pole20is disposed above the arm 11 of the lever 11 and also above the link-bar1 1, so that the latter may move freely and not come in contact with thepole in service, as the pole will then always be maintained either in ahorizontal plane or above it. In operation it will be seen that theswinging movement of the pole 20 toward either end of the front axle 8*will vibrate the lever 11 and, as shown in Fig. 8, will so arrange therelative positions of connected parts that the right-hand spindle of thefront axle will be disposed diagonally forward and the left-hand spindledisposed diagonally rearward a somewhat greater degree or equal to themovement of the stubspindle G on the left-hand end of the axle A in Fig.2. Simultaneously the right-hand spindle on the rear axle will be moveddiagonally rearward and the left-hand spindle on the rear axle bedisposed diagonallyforward, whereby the runningear will be so adjustedin its working parts that a leftward movement of the team ofdraft-animals connected with the pole 20 will obviously effect a quickturning movement of the vehicle in a like direction, and thus compensatefor the greater travel of the wheel on the right-hand spindle. It willbe manifest that a movement of the draft-pole 20 toward the right handfrom a position of alinement with the reach-bar 10 will dispose thespindles on the front and rear axles of the running-gear in a mannerchanged construction of the running-gear, in

which only the front axle is controlled by the improvements in. a mannersimilar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2; but an axle like that shown inFig. 13 is here employed. In this construction 23 indicates the frontaxle and 24; the reach-bar rigidly affixed to said axle in completedform, the reach-bar having a firm connection with any preferred form ofrear axle having the usual spindles projecting therefrom. The axle 23 isprovided with stub-axles 25, each having an integral spindle 25 saidstub-axles being, respectively, pivoted between projecting ends ofreinforceplates 23, similar to the reinforce-plates 8", previouslydescribed. In this construction of the improvement the lever-plate 26has a forward arm 26, extended laterally and forwardly, and but a singlearm or limb 26 at the rear end, forming a'right angle with thelever-plate, from which it extends laterally. Upon the forward end ofthe arm 26 one end of a link-bar27 is pivoted, and at the opposite endthereof the forward end of a rockarm 28 is pivoted, which is firmlyaffixed at its rear end upon the upper end of a pivotbolt g, that pivotsthe inner end of the stub axle 25 between the reinforceplates 23 at theright-hand end of the axle 23. The pivotbolt h, that loosely secures theinner end of the left-hand short stub-axle 25 in position, is at theupper end firmly affixed in a perforation in one end of a rock-arm 28,which projects rearwardly from the axle 23 and at its rear end ispivoted upon the outer end of a link-bar 27, which at the inner endthereof is pivoted upon the lateral arm or limb 26", at the outer end ofsaid arm. It will be evident that by the construction of parts justdescribed the pole 20, which is constructed and connected with thelever-plate 26, similarly to its connection with the lever-plate 11,will by its lateral vibration to the right or left similarly rock thelever-plate 26 upon its pivot '5, that loosely secures said plate uponthe reach-bar 24, which movement of parts will serve to dispose thestub-axles 25 so that the spindles thereon will be diagonally positionedone forward of the axle and one rearward thereof, as clearly shown inFig. 10, whereby the lateral movement of the draft-pole a moderatedegree will cause a quick-turning adjustment of the vehiclerunning-gear.

It'will be seen that the improved quickturning vehicle-gear hereindescribed is well adapted for use either when the vehicle is drawn orpropelled with motive force other than draft-animals, and in case thevehicle is not drawn it is obvious a draft-pole may be dispensed with,as represented in Figs. 1 and 2, and the actuating-lever be rockedlaterally by means carried on the vehicle and controllable by anoccupant thereof.

Having thus described my invention, I

' claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent-"- 1. In a vehiclerunning-gear having front and rear axles rigidly connected by a reach=bar, the combination with the front axle, of stub-axles having spindlesthereon, arms arranged at an angle to the spindles of the stubaxles,bolts passed loosely through the ends of the front axle and engaging thesaid arms and serving to rigidly connect said arms to the stub-axles,and also pivoting said stubaxles to the ends of the front axle, a later:ally-rockable lever pivoted upon the reach* bar, and rods connecting thesaid lever to the arms on the stub-axles.

2. In a vehicle running-gear, the combination with an axle of thevehicle, of stub-axles having spindles thereon, arms on the stubaxles,bolts passed loosely through the ends of the axle and arranged to engagethe arms to rigidly connect said arms to the stub-axles, the said boltsalso pivoting said stub-axles to the ends of the axle, alaterally-rockable lever, and connections between the said lever and thearms on the stub-axles.

3. In a vehicle running-gear, the combination with two main axles heldinparallel planes by a reach-bar and diagonal braces, twolaterally-rockable stub-axles,having spindles, on the forward main axle,and having flanges adapted to embrace the ends of said main axle andpivoted thereon, rock-arms connected with the stub-axle spindles at anangle thereto, and bolts rigidly securing the said arms to thestub-axles, the said bolts also forming the pivotal connection betweenthe flanges of the stub-axles and the ends of the main axle, of alever-plate pivoted upon the reach-bar or forward main axle, lateralarms on the lever, and link-bars pivoted at their ends upon the ends ofthe rock-arms and upon the respective arms of the lever-plate, the saidlever and its arms being so arranged that a rocking movement of saidlever-plate will so move the link-bars as to give the stubaxle spindletoward which the vehicle-gear turns a greater inclination from the mainaxle than the other stub-axle spindle receives.

4c- A vehicle running-gear, comprising a front axle and a rear axle, areach-bar connecting said axles, diagonal braces extending from thereach-bar to the front and rear axles, stops on the front axle arrangedto bear against the inner sides of the ends of the braces, stub-axleshaving spindles thereon and held to rock laterally on the ends of thefront axle, a laterally-rockable lever having a body portion pivotedupon the reach-bar at or near the front axle, and arms on the lever andconnected with the stub-axles for rocking the stub-axles by the movementof the lever.

on the forward axle, arms located at an angle to the stub-spindles,bolts for securing the arms to the stub-spindles, the said bolts eachhaving an angular formation at one end fitting correspondingperforations in the arms and in the inner end of the correspondingstub-spindle, the bodies of the bolts extendingloosely through the endsof the main axle and forming the pivotal connections between thestub-axles and the said main axle, a latera1lyrockable lever pivotedupon the reachbar, and rods connecting the said lever with the free endsof said arms for rocking the stub-axles by the movement of the lever.

6. In a vehicle running-gear, the combination with a front axle, and arear axle both rigidly connected in parallel planes by a reach-bar, of astub-axle on each end of the front axle, said stub-axles being pivotedto rock laterally, a pivoted lever-plate extend ing forward and rearwardof the axle and havingarms at its ends,a fixed rock-arm on thepivot-bolt of each stub-axle, and arranged at rock-arms extending inopposite directions,

"and connecting-rods between the ends of the rock-arms and the arms ofthe pivoted leverplate.

7. In a vehicle running-gear, the combination with the front axle ofstub-axles having spindles thereon, rock-arms arranged at an angle tothe spindles of the stub-axles and extending in opposite directions,bolts arranged to turn loosely in the ends of the front axle and rigidlyconnecting said arms to the stub-axles and also pivoting said stub-axlesto the ends of the front axle, a pivoted lever provided with arms, androds connecting the said lever with the free ends of said rook-arms.

8, In a vehicle running-gear, the combination with the front main axle,and laterallyrockable stub-axles at the ends of the front main axle andhaving spindles, of a lever having a body portion pivoted at a pointadjacent to the front axle, the ends of the body portion extendingrespectively forward and rearward of the front axle, arms on the ends ofthe lever, rock-arms connected with the stub-axles and link-barsconnecting the arms of the lever with the arms of the stub-axles.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

BUCK MASON.

Witnesses:

JACK RYAN, R. 0. WEST.

